World Rugby announced an emergency inquiry headed by a QC into the "controversial" Spain vs. Belgium match overseen by a Romanian referee that "resulted in Romania qualifying" for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The governing body "had recommended that the match should be replayed" due to the "non-neutral" referee. New allegations that teams, "believed to include Romania and Belgium, fielded ineligible players in qualifiers" could result in them "being kicked out of the competition altogether or having points deducted." It is likely that World Rugby will insist on Rugby Europe "approving all match official appointments for World Cup qualification tournaments in the future" (LONDON TIMES, 4/5).
The National Rugby League and the Rugby League Players Association "shot off a letter" to the organizers of the "controversial" Denver test match outlining concerns about "the impact it could have on players' safety." England and New Zealand are scheduled to play a "historic" test on U.S. soil, an event arranged by Jason Moore, "the man who brought Major League Baseball to Sydney." There are "concerns about player welfare, given the June 23 fixture will be staged at altitude in Colorado" during the U.S. summer (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 4/5).
Qatar will participate in the 2019 Copa America, Aspire Academy Dir General Ivan Bravo said. The Asian nation will host the World Cup in '22 and the team will take part in the South America tournament three years prior (GOAL, 4/5).
Athens was named the host of the 2018 Basketball Champions League Final Four. Four teams will participate in the event, which will be played over the first weekend of May in the Greek capital. The games will be played in the OAKA Olympic Indoor Hall (Basketball Champions League).
